As unemployment hovers near eight percent nationwide, the Shepherd’s House board of directors and its volunteers continue to serve the homeless in Coffee County and the surrounding area.

Staff members of the Shepherd’s House, located at 712 First Ave., Tullahoma, are the Rev. Jim Growden, director; Carol Growden, assistant director; and Terri Beard, house manager.

Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 10, 2008 the house served as a temporary shelter for 209 people, according to the Rev. Jim Growden, director.

Jim Growden is my (Steve Hayes) third cousin once removed. Jim was educated at Tullahoma High School, Motlow State Community College, Belmont University, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Trinity Theological Seminary. He spent 10 years in the US Marine Corps, and entered the ministry in 1968, and became pastor of Westwood Baptist Church, Manchester, Tennessee in 1999.

He is the son of Arthur Franklin Growden and Flora Myers. He and his wife Carol have two sons.